A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dublin vs. Santiago for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dublin or Santiago?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dublin or Santiago, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Dublin or Santiago?

Dublin

Dublin is the vibrant and fun capital city of Ireland and home to over a third of the country's population. There are almost 2 million people in the metropolitan area. It's also the most common entry point into the country for visitors. Once you arrive, its a good idea to head over to the main tourist office in St. Andrew's Church off Grafton Street. They can give you maps and information to make sure your trip is efficient and fun. Many people enjoy seeing what remains of the Georgian architecture throughout the city. Much of the city is also modernist in style with many blocks made up of offices.

Santiago

Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.

Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in Ireland, The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Dublin?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dublin is €179, while the average daily cost in Santiago is €128. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Dublin and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dublin 68
    Santiago 93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dublin 136
    Santiago 186
Compare Hotels in Dublin and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Dublin or Santiago? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Dublin


Hotels in Santiago


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Dublin Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dublin 19
    Santiago 4.60
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dublin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Dublin:


  • Rental Car for a Day
    15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dublin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dublin:

  • One-Way Bus Transfer from/to Dublin Airport: $12
  • Dublin DUB Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $36
  • Airport Transfer and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $43
  • Dublin Cruise Ship Shore Excursion|Hop-on Hop-off & Rail Transfer: $44
  • Private Dublin Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel / Accommodation: $66
  • Dublin Airport (DUB) Private Transfer to Dublin City Centre: $82
  • Driven by Excellence , Defined by Prestige Wheels Transfers: $94
  • Private Sedan (4 seats) Transfer from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Center: $105
  • Departure Transfer: Dublin to Dublin Airport DUB in Business Car: $119
  • Private Transfer: Dublin to Dublin Airport DUB in Business Car: $119
  • Departure Transfer Dublin to Dublin Airport by Van or Minibus: $127
  • Arrival Transfer Dublin Airport to Dublin City by Van or Minibus: $127

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:


  • Metro Ride
    0.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
  • Airport Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $87
  • Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
  • Arrival Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago de Chile: $80
  • City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
  • Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $87
  • From Viña Santa Rita Tour w/Transfer: $120
  • Luxury Airport Private Transfer SCL: $90
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
  • Private Round Trip Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago: $96
  • Private Round Trip Transfer on Santiago Of Chile City: $68
  • Private Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300

Is it cheaper to fly into Dublin or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Dublin change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Dublin 85
    Santiago 19
Typical Food Prices in Dublin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dublin:


  • Lunch Lynam's Pub
    3.95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dublin

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dublin.

  • Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $32
  • Food on Foot: Dublin Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $33
  • Dublin Irish House Party Live Show, Dinner Option Available: $36
  • Belvedere Irish Night Show, Dance and Traditional 3-Course Dinner: $59
  • Dublin Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
  • Grand Canal Cruise with Dinner: $82
  • Irish Dinner & Dance Show at Johnnie Fox’s: $88
  • Ultimate Dublin Food Tour: $93
  • Delicious Walking Food Tour: $94
  • Delicious Dublin Food Tour: $96
  • Skip the Line: Irish Night Show Including 4-Course Dinner Ticket: $102
  • Howth Coastal Craft Beer and Seafood Tour: $116

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:


  • Empanada
    1.60
  • Hamburger
    2.13
  • Dinner
    22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.

  • Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
  • Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $82
  • 4-Hour Boozy Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago: $85
  • Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
  • Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
  • Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Bali Hai Polynesian Dinner Show with Transfer: $130
  • Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $181
  • Santiago Chilean and Peruvian Cooking Class with a Local Carol: $184

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dublin 25
    Santiago 40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dublin

Here are a few typical costs in Dublin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Wild Wicklow Tour
    26
  • Guinness Brewery for Two
    27
  • St Pauls Cathedral
    4.50
  • Dublin Writer's Museum
    6.30

Tours and Activities in Dublin

Here are a few actual costs in Dublin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Self Guided Tours Dublin With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.59
  • Historic Landmarks Walking Tour: $4.70
  • Dublin Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.88
  • Dublin Ghost Hunt Exploration Game and Tour: $6.00
  • Ardgillan Castle Entry Ticket: $7.05
  • Interactive Guided Tour of Printing History: $7.21
  • Dublin Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.40
  • Dublin Downtown Smartphone Guided GPS Audio Walking Tour: $9.75
  • The Mystical Hill of Tara: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of Scenic Coastal Dublin (Dun Laoghaire): $10
  • A Self Guided Walking Tour of Dublin's Docklands: $12
  • Dublin Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $12

Tours and Activities in Santiago

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:

  • Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $9.00
  • Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
  • Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $17
  • A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
  • Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
  • Santiago City Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $20
  • Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $23
  • Private Guided Walking Tour of the City Center: $24
  • Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
  • Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dublin 17
    Santiago 7.15

Sample the Local Flavors in Dublin

Also in Dublin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Generation Pub Crawl: $16
  • Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour & Tasting: $24
  • The Black Experience Pub Tour: $24
  • Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery Experience: $26
  • Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery: Trilogy Experience: $26
  • City Pub Crawl Experience: $29
  • Jameson Whiskey Distillery Tour with Tastings: $36
  • Dublin Jameson Distillery Bow St. Tour and Tasting 45 mins: $37
  • Dublin Jameson Distillery Guided tour and Tasting in French: $37
  • Pub Crawl Walking Tour Through the Heart of Irelands Capital: $38
  • Jameson Distillery Secret Whiskey Tasting Experience: $47
  • Gin Tasting Masterclass In Stillgarden Distillery: $48

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago

Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $34
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $70
  • Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $79
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with wine tasting in Casablanca: $79
  • Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
  • Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
  • Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $89
  • Kross Brewery Tour: A Craft Beer Tasting Experience: $93


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dublin and Santiago, we can see that Dublin is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dublin is in Europe and Santiago is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Santiago would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santiago and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Dublin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dublin than you might in Santiago.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dublin Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dublin or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Dublin. When comparing the sizes of Dublin and Santiago, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Dublin or Santiago?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Santiago is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Dublin has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Dublin or Santiago in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dublin and Santiago. Many travelers come to Dublin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Dublin is cooler than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.

In July, Dublin usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Dublin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Dublin 16°C (60°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Dublin or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dublin as well as Santiago. Many visitors come to Dublin in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Dublin is cooler than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dublin in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.

Dublin usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Dublin gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Dublin 11°C (52°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Dublin or Santiago in the Winter?

Both Santiago and Dublin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dublin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Dublin is generally much colder than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Dublin average around 6°C (42°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In January, Dublin usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Dublin gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Dublin 6°C (42°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Dublin or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Dublin during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Dublin because of the activities around the city.

Dublin is much colder than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.

Dublin usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Dublin gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Dublin 8°C (47°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Dublin

Dublin Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (42°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 50 mm (2 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 8°C (47°F) 51 mm (2 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 16°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 15°C (60°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 14°C (56°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 8°C (46°F) 65 mm (2.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 6°C (44°F) 76 mm (3 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)